Railway signaling.



J. B. STRUBLB.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4, 1904v 1,092,459. Patented Apr. 7, 1914.

[ 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

J. B. STRUBLE.

RAILWAY SIGNALING.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4, 1904.

1 ,QgfifiQ, v Patented Apr. 7, 191% r 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. S a;

WITNESSES: J INVENTOR 6'? MM V I T WWW JACOB B. STRUBLE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y1, ASSIGNOB TO THE union swrron SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSKLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENN- SYLVANIA.

mrnwhr siennmne.

LW2A59.

'Zcntinuation of applications Serial No. 82,528, 12, 1902. This application Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, JAoon B STRUBLE, a. citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of. Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signaling, of which the following is a specification.

This application is a continuation. of my application filed November 16th, 1901,'Ser. No. 82,523, which matured into Pat. No. 819,322 granted May 1, 1906, and of my plication .-filed March 12, 1902, Ser. 0. 97,861, which matured into Patent No. 819,323 granted May 1, 1906. This application was pending contemporaneously with the said earlier applications.

My invention relates to railway signaling,

and especially to a signaling system for electric railways wherein one or both of the track rails are used as a return conductor. for" the propulsion current. It. is customary in electric railways to employ direct current for operating the car or turn conductor for the propulsion current. In the present invention I employalternating current in the track circuits of the'signaling system, to which translating mechanisms included in the track circuits, are responsive in their control of the railway signals. 4

I will describe a railway signaling system embodying my invention and then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In theaccompanyingdrawings, Figure 1. is a diagrammatic view illustrating a pm 0 l -to the opposite lines of rails comprised tion of an electric railway having a signa ing systemembodying my invention a plied thereto. I Fig. 2 is a similar view an illustrating a modification of my invention. Fig. 3 is a view similar to 1 and illustrating another modification of myinvention. Fig. 4 isa detail view of an im edance in the form of a reactance or c oke coil, which may be employed in my invention.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the figures.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1, inthe practice of my invention one of the lines o rails otthe railway is divided into a series of sections 1, 2, 3, etc., by means of insulat on at sultable train motbrs and to employ one or both of the rails as-a re-v g with the hue of ralls 4, while the other pole transformer being section. As shown in the drawings, the prierator 5 may points, while the other line of rails 4. is

preferably made electrically continuous. The sections 1, 2, 3, etc, may be of any'desired length and in the art each section and opposite portion of the continuous rail 4 is generally termed a block section.

6* designates a direct currentgenerator' and 6 a feed conductor extending there, from and along the line of railway and from which current is obtained for the motorsof the cars traveling along the railway.

The return for the direct or propulsion current is through one or both track rails, they belng bonded or joined together for this purpose in the manner hereinafter described.

14 designates a railway si al, at least ,one being provided at the beginning of each block section. The railway signals 14 may be of anydesired construction and they each preferably comprise a semaphore and-mechanism or means for moving the'semaphore from one position of indication to another.

5 designates an alternating current generator. One pole of the alternating current enerator is'here shown as being connected of the generator 5 is connected with a con- .ductor 5 extending along the line. of railway, and which at some suitable point, for example, at the end of the railway, is electrically 'oined to the lines of rail 4.

.6 esignates transformers, at least one provided for each block windings of the transformers are in mary ' conductor 5, and their secseries. with the 'ondary windings are electrically connected in each bloc section. It will be understood that other arran ements of the conductors extending from t e alternating current genarrangements of. the rimary windings of the transformer. 'l e employment of transformers permits of a high tension current extending through the generator 5 and the use of'low tension currents in the track circuits. To prevent an excessive amount of alternating current flowing in a track circuit when a train is in the block section, a

resistance 7 is arranged in the track circuit,

(as shown, in one o the connections in the secondary winding with track rail) or each transformer 6 may be built with such rebe provided as well as other :PatentedlApr. "7, 1914.. filed November. 16, 1901, and Serial No. 97,861, filed March filed March 4, 1904. Serial 1T0. 196,474-

' with the track rails.

sistance as it is well known in the art. The track circuit of each block section comprises all or portions of the track rails of the block section, a transformer or the secondary winding thereof, and a translating mechanism or device.

8 designates translating mechanisms or devices, one being provided for each track circuit. Each translating mechanism is in the form of a relay, the coil or coils 18 of which are included in the track circuit. The armature 19 of the relay is pivotally mounted in operative relation tothe poles of the magnet core energized by the coil or coils 18. The form of translating device and its operation is more particularly set forth in m United StatesPatent No. 819,323 issued M ay 1, 1906. This form of translating mechanism as set forth in the patent hereinbefore referred to is responsive to the alternating current in the track circuit for one of its operations to control a local circuit 13, which circuit includes a source of electrical energy and a controlling device of the mechanism of the signal 14, and when the alternating current is shunted from the coil or coils 18, for example, by the wheels and axles of the train on the track rails of the track circuit in which the translating mechanism is included, it will respond to again control the circuit 13. In other words, when alternating current is flowing through the coil or coils 18, the armature 19 will move to close the circuit 13 and when alternating current is shunted from the coil or coils 18, the armature 19 will move to open the circuit 13. In both conditions of the circuit the mechanism of the railway signal will be'afiected to have the semaphore thereof give difi'erent indications. Any other form of translating mechanism may be employed.

17 designates impedances in the form of reactance, or choke coils, see Fig. 4, which may Deconstructed in accordance with the rules well known in the art. The coils may be connected across the wires or conductors connecting the translating mechanisms with the track rails and across the wires connecting the secondaries of the transformers 6 or These coils will permit of direct current flowing through them but will prevent alternating current flowing through them, the efi'ect, therefore, being to' confine alternating current to the several track circuits and to permit direct current to pass from the track rails of one track circuit to the track rails of another track circuit. In other words, the direct or propulsion current for the car motors may be flowing through both track rails as a return without in any way affecting the apparatus connected therewith.

Instead of having the coils 17 connected across the track rails, they may be arranged propulsion current .will pass through the trackrails to the generator. Each coil is made with low ohmic resistance so as to form an easy path from rail to rail, while the flow of alternating current is prevented by the reactive, effect of self-induction so that the reactance coil has a choking effect on the alternating current but not on the direct current. The coils'and the other instruments connected with the track circuits will be constructed in the proper proportions-and with the proper resistances to carry out my invention.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a signaling system for railways having one of its lines electrically continuous and its other line of rails divided into insulated sections, the combination of a series of track circuits, an alternating current generator, a series of transformers, one being provided for each track circuit, a translating mechanism for each track circuit operable by the alternating current of the track circuit and constructed to induce a current in another circuit and thereby control a railway signal, a series of railway signals, one being provided for each track circuit and reactance coils for connecting both ends of the insulated rail sections with the continuous rail.

2. In a signaling system for railways hav- .ing one of the lines of rails electrically continuous 'and the other line of rails divided into insulated sections, a track circuit which comprises a portion of the electrically continuous rail and an insulated section of the other track rail, reactance coils connectingthe ends of the insulated rail sections with the continuous rail, a source of alternating current supply and a translating device.

3. In a system of electrical distribution and signaling for railways, the combination of two sources of electric energy transmit.- ting currents different in character, an outgoing conductor from-one of said sources which forms the feeding conductor, a return conductor formed of the two rails of the railway, said conductor divided into blocks and having reactance devices interposed between the rail sections of the blocks and the source of energy, a transformer for each block having its secondary across the rails of a block and signaling devices under the control of the current transmitted through the transformers connected to each block.

4. In combination with a railway the rails of which are employed as a return for the propulsion current employed for the motors of the cars traveling along the rail- 7 sion current.

- track circuits,

currentto said track circuits,

track circuit, a plurality of block continuous and the other of said rails being divided into insulated sections, a feed con ductor for the propulsion current extending along the line of railway, and. a signaling system, said system comprising a series of an alternating current genfor supplying alternating a translating mechanism for each track circuit, and reactance coils connected with said, track rails erator, means "whereby the propulsion current will flow through the rails as a return and will be shunted from the translating mechanism.

5. In an electric railway signaling system, employing a closed signal controlling sections, one rail being divided into insulated sections corresponding to the block sections, for each block section operable by an alternating current, a source of alternating current for said signals, a source of direct current for propelling the railway cars, and means for permitting the direct current to pass from one insulated rail section to-another and for preventing alternating current from passing from one insulated rail section to another;

, 6. A System of electrical distribution and signaling for 'railw'a-ys, comprising two sources of electrical energy delivering currents difiering in character, one source connected to a feeder conductor and to each of the track rails as return conductors to the source of energy and adapted to energize the car motors on said rails, and the other source of energy connected across segregated bloqks of the track'rails and adapted .to energ1ze signaling mechanisms located in said blocks.

7 In an electric railway, signaling system, the combination of a closed track circuit, a source of alternating current forsaid track circuit, a plurality of block sections, one of the rails bein divided into sections corresponding to t e block vsections, ancha signal for each section operable by said current, and means for permitting the use of both rails as a return for the direct car propul- 8. In an electric railway signaling system, the combination of a closed track circuit a source of alternating signaling current or current and high impedance to the alternat ing signalin current.

9. In an e ectrlc railway signahng system,

' the combination of a closed track circuit, a

source of alternating signaling'current for said track circuit, a lurality of block sections, one of the rails eing divided into see a signal -tions corresponding to the block sections, a

signal for each section 0 erable by said current, and a path of higl impedance to the alternating signaling current from one rail section to an adjacent rail section.

10. In an electric railway signaling system, the combination of a closed track circuit, a source of alternating current for said track circuit, a plurality of block sections, one of the rails being divided into sections corresponding to the block sections, a signal for each section operable by said current, and a path of low resistance to direct current and of high impedance to the alternat ing current, connecting one rail section to another. a

11. In an electric railway signaling system the combination of a closed track circuit, a source of alternating current for said track circuit, a plurality of block sections, one of the rails being divided into sections corresponding to the block sections, a signal for each section operable by said current, and an inductive impedance winding in a connection between adjacent rail sections.

12. A system of electrical distribution and signaling for railways, comprising two sources of electrical energy delivering currents differing in character, conductors of Wh1ch each traffic rail forms a part, are divided into blocks and serve.as separate return paths to the sources of energy, a motor car driven from one of said sources of energ current transforming devices having their primaries energized from the other source of energy, and their secondaries connected across the rails of the separate blocks,

and signaling devices in each block normally actuated by the current across therails of the block.

13. A system of electrical distribution and signaling for railways, comprising two sources of electrical energy delivering currents difiering in character, conductors of which each traflic rail forms a part, are divided into blocks and serve as separate return paths to one of the sources of energy, mean interposed between the other of said sources of energy and the track rails of a block for modifying the current from said source of energy delivered across the'rails of said block, and means in each block actuatedfrorn said last named source of energy and adaptedto indicate the condition of the block.

14. A system of electrical distribution and signaling for railways, comprising two sources of electrical energy delivering cur,- rents differing in character, conductors of which both rails form a part and said rails divided into blocks through which the'currents from said sources of energy are trans mitted,'means interposed between one of the sources. of energy and the track rails for modifying the current from'said source of car enters a block.

&

energy delivered to such track rails, a signaling device in each block, a source of energy therefor, and means interposed between the rails of each block and each signaling device and normally adapted to" actuate mechanism to close a circuit througha source of energy connected to a si vice and to be rendered inoperat ve when a 15. A system of electrical distribution and signaling for railways, comprising two, sources of electrical energy delivering currents .difl'ering in character, feeder conductors leading therefrom, track rails arranged as a series of blocks and connectedtoseparately serve as returnaths for the power circuit, one source of energy connected to the power circuit and adapted to energize the car motors, and the other source of energy connected'ac'ross the rails of'each block and adapted to energize asignaling mechanism situated in each block.

16. In a systemof electrical distribution and signaling for railways, the combination of two sources of electric energy transmitting currents difierent in character, an out going conductor from one of said sources which forms the feedin conductor, a return conductor formed of t e two rails of the syste1n,-said conductor divided into blocks, and having reactance devices interposed between the ends of the rail sections of the blocks and the source of energy, an outgoing and return conductor connected to the other source of energy, a transformer for each block having its primary connected across said outgoing-and return conductor and its secondary across the rails of a block, and signaling devices under the control of the current transmitted through-the transformers connected to each block.

17. A system of automatic signaling for electric railways, comprising a source of electricity, a power circuit fed therefrom, said power circuit including each of the rails of said railway as return paths to the generator, a trackway divided into sections, means for exciting a difference of potential between the respective rails of each section, meansfor preventing the current due to the difference of potential between the rails of a section flowing to the rails of an adjacent section, and a signaling device in each section controlled as to one movement by the dilierence of the section.

18. A system of automatic signaling for electric railways, comprising a generator, a power circuit of which both rails form a part and a return path to the generator, a trackway divided into sections, means for exciting a difi'erence of potential between the rails of each section, means located atpotential between-the rails of the opposite ends of each section. and which acjt to opposethe flow of current created by aling desuch difference of potential from one section to the next, and amotor device in each section excited by the difference of potential between the rails of the section, and a signaling device in each section under the control of the motor device.

19. A signaling system comprising a source of propulsion. current, a source of signaling, current, a trackway divided into block sections, means for exciting a difference of potential between the rails of the block sections, reactance bonds connected across the rails at each end of a block section, designed to transmit the propulsion current without saturation or loss of required reactance, and a signaling device in each block section.

20. .A signaling system comprising a source of propulsion current, a source of signaling current, atrackway divided into block sections, means for exciting a difference of potential between the rails of each section, a reactance bond connected across; the rails at each end of a block section, de-

si ned 'to transmit the propulsion current without saturation or lossof required reactance, a transformer in each section, and a relay energized by such transformer. and

adapted'to control a signalingdevice.

"21. A signaling system comprising a source of propulsion current, 'a feeder therefor, a source of signaling current, a feeder therefor, a trackway divided into block sections, means for exciting a difference of potential between the rails of a block section, reactance bonds connected across the rails at each end of a. block section, designed to transmit the propulsion current without saturation or loss of required reactance, and a signaling device in each block section.

22. In a signaling system the combination of a trackway divided into block sections, reactance bonds designed to transmit the propulsion current without saturation or loss of required reactance connected across the rails at each end of each block section, means for exciting a difference ofpotential between the rails of each block section, a

transformer connected across each block section, and a current translating device energized by the secondary of such transformer. 23. In a signaling system the combination of a trackway divided into block sections, reactance bonds. designed to transmit the propulsion current without saturation or loss of required reactance connected across the rails at each end of each block section, means for exciting a difference of potential between. the rails of each block section and a signaling device in each block sectionnormally actuated by the existing difference of potential.

24. In asignaling system the combination of a source of propulsion current, a source of signaling current, a trackway divided into block sections, means for impressing signaling current upon each blocksection,

7 source of propulsion current,

means for confining) the signaling current to the limits of each locksection, and means whereby the rails of the block sections shall serve as separate returns for thepropulsion current.

25. 'A' signaling 1 system comprising a a source of signaling current, 'a trackw'ay divided into blocksections, means-for exciting a difference of potential between the rails of each block section, reactance bonds connected across the railsat each end of a block section designed to transmit the propulsion current without saturation or loss of required reactance, a conductor connecting ad jacent bonds,'and a signaling device in each block section.

26. In a signaling system the combination of atrackway. divided into block sections, reactance bonds connected. across the railsat each end of each block section designed to transmit the propulsion current without saturation or loss of required reactance,-and means' for connecting the bonds of adjacent sections together.

27. In a signaling system the combination of a trackway divided into'block sections, reactance bonds situated at opposite ends of each block section designed to transmit the propulsion current without saturation or loss of required 'reactance, and means for connecting the bonds of adjacent sections together.

28. of a trackway divided into block sections,

separating of each a ing the coils on In a signaling system the combination reactance bonds situated at opposite ends of each block section designed to'transmit the propulsion current without saturation or loss of required reactance, comprising an open magnetic coreand a coil thereon connected across the trackway, and means for onnecting the coils of adjacent bonds toget er.

29. In a signaling system the combination of a trackway, means for dividing said trackway into block sections and limiting the signaling current to the confines oi such block section, said means consisting of insulation introduced between the block sections, and reactance bonds designed to trans-' rnit the propulsion current without satura-. tion or loss of requiredreactanceconnected acrossthe trackway at each end of a section and a conductor between the bonds.

In a signalin system'the combination of two parallel rai s, insulatingmeans for said rails into block sections, reactance'bonds designed to transmit the pro pulsion current without saturation or loss of required reactance situated at opposite ends block section and each having the opposite terminals *of its coils connected to opposite rails, and a conductor for connectadjacent bonds together.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specificationirt the presence of two subscribed witnesses.

JACOB 'B. sinUBLn.

Witnesses:

A. HERMAN WEGNER, JAB. H. RE LLY.

each of said bonds 

